I love this wedding photo of my parents, Harry Lenard “Len” Ford (wearing his British Army uniform) and Isabella Benvenuto. They were married on January 19, 1945, in Trieste, Italy.
My dad with his beloved Norton motorcycle. He had the soul of a rocker.
My mom and I hit a high note at our flat in South London.
Me with my first guitar, my favorite possession, in our Long Beach, California, home. Little did I know where it would take me . . . Len Ford
A Runaway flanked by her parents. Brad Elterman
A publicity photo for our 1976 tour. Left to right, back: me (lead guitar), Sandy West (drums), and Jackie Fox (bass); front: Cherie Currie (vocals) and Joan Jett (rhythm guitar). Chris Walker
Left to right: Laurie McAllister, Sandy West, Joan Jett, and me during the filming of a video for “Mama Weer All Crazee Now.” Donna Santisi
“Punk lives”: Thrashing at the El Mocambo in Toronto, 1978. Doug Cawker
Maestro Kim Fowley with the band at the Whisky A Go-Go. Henry Diltz/Corbis
At Rusk Studios: Joan and I powwow with John Alcock (third from left). Donna Santisi
Joan and I share a rare moment together during the filming of a video for “Mama Weer All Crazee Now.” We never connected personally, but what we accomplished together has stood the test of time. Donna Santisi
Left to right: Laurie McAllister (rolling a joint), me, Sandy, and Joan in a hotel room on tour, 1978. Toni Francavilla
Have blackberry brandy, will travel. Donna Santisi
Hanging with Johnny Ramone. Jenny Lens
With the Hamer Explorer–shaped cake that the Runaways got me for my twenty-first birthday. Donna Santisi
Stepping out on my own: A filmstrip from the Out for Blood era—circa 1983. Donna Santisi
Me and Jon Bon Jovi, 1990. Jon, we’ll always have Paris, baby. Ron Galella/Getty Images
Young love: Me and Nikki Sixx. I bought Nikki his first tattoo—seen here in the reflection in the mirror. Jack Lue
Cover girl: Rip, October 1988.
The poster for Jon Bon Jovi’s New Jersey Syndicate Tour dates in Italy. Look who got top billing.
Me and Ozzy Osbourne in 1989, while we were both managed by Sharon. Our duet “Close My Eyes Forever” was a Top 10 hit. Gene Kirkland
Metal’s revenge: Tony Iommi, me, and Geezer Butler take on the guys from Spinal Tap. I actually loved the movie! Toni Francavilla
Jamming with my onetime hero, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi. After we got engaged, I saw a very different side of the man. David Plastik/Getty Images
Out with my first husband, Chris Holmes. Marital bliss eluded us whenever the party ended. Lisa Darbon
With my band, my true soulmates, in 1984. Ray Palmer
Mama Ford, shortly before her passing. Her loss cast me adrift. Gene Kirkland
Me and my “Sweet Baby James,” 1998. Cynthia McCarthy
Pregnant with James, my first child, 1997. Motherhood was a precious gift in my otherwise tragic second marriage. Cynthia McCarthy
Rocco (left) and James (right) in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The boys were my lifeline during the most difficult period of my life.
Welcome to the family business: Rocco (left) and James (right) pose with me and “Grandpa Alice”—Alice Cooper, that is.
One of the first things I did after filing for divorce in 2010 was to cover up the tattoo of my husband’s name on my arm.
Missing my kids, Malmo, Sweden, 2013. Henrik/In the Rearview Mirror
In the studio with Gary Hoey (and my dog Churro) while recording Living Like a Runaway, 2012. Gary and his wife, Nicole, gave me sanctuary while I was finalizing my divorce. Matt Scurfield
It broke my heart to write “Mother,” but it was essential to the grieving process. It’s been inspiring to see the fans’ response too. Here’s a pic I took of a fan who had the lyrics tattooed on her back.
The Black Widow returns. Erin Williams
I took it as a sign when this real black widow visited my apartment. Left: Here she is trapped in Tupperware. Below: My bandmate Marty O’Brien shows off the paperweight he made out of the bitch. Marty O’Brien
I have the greatest fans in the world. They give me so much love, and my mission is to give it back. Here I’m playing in Three Forks, Montana. Marty O’Brien
My band of brothers: Patrick Kennison, me, Marty O’Brien, and Bobby Rock. Dustin Jack
One of my favorite honors: Guitar Player’s Certified Legend Award. Marty O’Brien
LAX, zero-dark-hundred: Life on the road isn’t for everyone, but I love it.
You never know who you’re going to run into; this time it was Nikki. It’s been a blast to reconnect with my buddies from the old days. Marty O’Brien
Facing the light: I still cry for my boys every night, but after years in the darkness, I feel blessed that my fans let me wear the crown of “the Queen of Metal.” Don’t count on my giving up the title any time soon!
Peter Fagerbacka